Carmel, Indiana is more than an über-suburb of Indianapolis. It's becoming a destination of its own. Soon to top more than 69,000 people, Carmel is just north of Indianapolis and is home to large companies, such as HSBC, Thomson Consumer Electronics, MacMillan Publishing, Delta Faucet, and Conseco, and to many companies on the cutting edge of their fields. Though it has a reputation for affluent neighborhoods, there's still plenty of affordable homes and, increasingly, townhomes.

Carmel was listed as one of the top ten places to live in the Midwest by Money magazine for its high quality of life. In the works are the development of Carmel's downtown Arts and Design District, the Carmel Performing Arts Center and City Center. The Monon Center at Central Park, a newly opened park complex, straddles the Monon Trail. Central Park is a $55 million facility featuring a community center, an aquatic facility, sports fields, running track, and trail system.

Carmel community events include the annual Carmelfest Celebration (with fireworks) held at the Civic Center, Carmelfest Parade Spectacular and the Carmel International Arts Festival.

Carmel is also for those of us who love to shop. Near at hand are antique shops, fine home furnishings, books and music stores, sports equipment, office furnishings, and chic clothing retailers. Clay Terrace offers a unique shopping experience, while the 5-mile Monon Greenway of Carmel runs through the city for biking and walking recreation.

Carmel is in Hamilton County, one of the fastest growing counties in Indiana. Other cities in Hamilton County include Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield. In Carmel, the average home price is $339,000, with prices generally ranging from the low $100,000's to $5,000,000. Good news for Carmel homeowners: According to the Wall Street Journal's Real Estate Journal.com, the Carmel, Indiana / Indianapolis, Indiana area is one of the least likely areas in the nation to see falling home prices over the next two years (2007-08).

Your information sources for Carmel, Indiana and Hamilton County:
Indy Star's Hamilton County
Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Carmel Magazine
Current in Carmel